"Ella Santos stood on the sidewalk with a cigarette in her hand, watching the snow fall and feeling more alone than she ever had in her life. The storm seemed to loom around her, holding its breath and waiting for her to go back inside."

In a sealed research lab eight miles under the surface of the Pacific Ocean, three scientists work feverishly to find a cure for a plague that threatens to wipe out humanity. After several days with no communication from the researchers, veterinarian Luke Nelson, whose brother is in the undersea lab, travels into the depths to find out what's wrong. When Luke arrives, he finds a nightmarish situation where the distinction between real violence and hallucination is increasingly blurred. Horror in The Deep is "notable both for quantity and quality," says Publishers Weekly.

Each of the tales in this thematic anthology connects with aspects of the film industry, featuring an obsessive projectionist in one story and documentation of lost motion pictures from the Byzantine Empire in another; others include an alternate history that brings together Edgar Allan Poe and Roger Corman, an inventive version of the zombie apocalypse, and two poems. Film buffs, fans of short horror stories, and those who appreciate compelling, well-crafted writing about the dark side of existence shouldn't miss this volume.

In An English Ghost Story, the Naremores, a dysfunctional family of four, move from London to a country house in hopes of healing their divisions. The Hollow, a historic Somerset residence, seems to be the perfect place to recover, and its recent history adds to the charm: the previous owner was a children's author. The Hollow's initially friendly ghosts soon display their darker side, however, as the Naremore family's rifts begin to reopen. Author Kim Newman beguiles readers with his realistic, likeable characters, then gradually increases the tension until the formerly idyllic setting betrays its truly terrifying nature.

In 1975, Christopher, a struggling composer, and Laura, his pregnant wife, move into a Victorian house near London's Hampstead Heath that has an ideal room for a studio. Though a few disturbing incidents worry Laura, Christopher is delighted with the space and the opportunity to produce creative film scores. He's especially compelled by the strange, unintelligible voices that begin to appear on his recordings. Christopher's developing obsession with incorporating the sounds into his work and Laura's increasing terror for herself and their now two-year-old daughter will remind readers of Stephen King's The Shining, and Kirkus Reviews notes that author F.R. Tallis' writing is "incisive and beautifully observed."

Battling demons while keeping up in school and experiencing first love presents a challenge any teenaged boy would find difficult. It's even harder when nobody else can see the demons, as 15-year-old Henry Dudlow confides to his diary. He worries that he might be insane, but his assessment of the demonic danger and his determination to save the world remain convincing. Henry's middle-class family and teenage crush provide a lighter contrast to his predicament without undermining the fear factor in author Dave Zeltserman's compelling novel.

In Domino Falls, the fast-paced, suspenseful sequel to Devil's Wake, a group of teens think they've found a safe haven from a terrifying, apocalyptic zombie plague. After they gain entry to Domino Falls, though, they learn that girls have been disappearing from a ranch house owned by the man who runs the town, and they decide to investigate. Their snooping leads them to a shocking discovery connected to the cause of the zombie infections. This "standout in the superhot zombie" trend (Booklist) will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you eager for the planned 3rd volume in the Devil's Wake series.

Former President Theodore ("Teddy") Roosevelt and his son Kermit went to Brazil in 1914 to map an uncharted river. During that trip, Teddy suffered a minor injury that escalated into a debilitating illness. Author Louis Bayard imagines an alternate version of this history, in which Teddy and Kermit are kidnapped by native Brazilians and forced to confront an evil, deadly monster. Roosevelt's Beast transforms the Roosevelts' actual journey into a terrifying supernatural battle. Kirkus Reviews calls the tale "impressive," and Library Journal says it will appeal to those who "like their adventure tinged with horror."

In Ghosts Know, provocative radio talk-show host Graham Wilde taunts a well-known guest who bills himself as a psychic, embarrassing and infuriating the man, Frank Jasper, and some of his fans. Later, when Frank is asked to help investigate the disappearance of a teenaged girl, he suggests that Graham might be responsible. Thus begins a horrific psychological drama, as belief in Graham's guilt affects his show's ratings and even makes him doubt himself. In this unpredictable story, award-winning horror author Ramsey Campbell skillfully crafts the twists and turns of doubt, paranoia, and rage, maintaining the suspense until the final revelation.

Twelve years ago in New England, a gargantuan blizzard took away 18 people in the city of Coventry. Now another storm is on the way, reminding survivors of their lost friends and family and creating a disturbing sense of menace. In Snowblind, author Christopher Golden skillfully portrays the residents of the city and their relationships, as their uneasiness from memories of the previous storm and fears about the new one gradually build to pure terror. This tale is guaranteed to keep you turning pages until the twisty, terrifying finale.

In Alena, a compelling contemporary remake of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, a young art historian begins a new job as a museum curator on Cape Cod. As she narrates her experiences, we learn that her predecessor, Alena, disappeared two years earlier. Memories of Alena and the mystery of her disappearance cast dark shadows on the narrator and other characters. In addition to keeping important roles from Rebecca -- especially a formidable bookkeeper reminiscent of Manderley's housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers -- author Rachel Pastan adds details about the art world in this "smart, chilling thriller that leaves readers thoroughly spooked" (Publishers Weekly).